Indications and outcomes for intravitreal injection of C3F8 gas for symptomatic vitreomacular traction

Sci Rep. 2021 Sep 10;11(1):18089. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-97639-z.

Abstract

To evaluate the indications and outcomes of perfluoropropane (C3F8) gas injection for symptomatic vitreomacular traction (VMT). A retrospective analysis of eyes with VMT treated with 0.3 mL of C3F8 gas was performed. Patients were not asked to posture after gas injection. In phakic patients, cataract surgery was performed simultaneously. Patients were examined after one week and one month postoperatively. Twenty-nine consecutive eyes of 26 patients with symptomatic VMT who underwent pneumatic vitreolysis were included. A complete posterior vitreous detachment was achieved in 18 eyes (62.1%) after a single gas injection at the final visit. The rate of posterior vitreous detachment was reduced significantly with the presence of epiretinal membrane (ERM) (p = 0.003). Three eyes formed a macular hole (MH) postoperatively and another eye developed a retinal detachment. Mean visual acuity increased significantly after one month (p < 0.008). Pneumatic vitreolysis is a viable option for treating VMT with few adverse events. Patient with concomitant ERM had a significantly lower success rate.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Clinical Decision-Making
  • Disease Management
  • Female
  • Fluorocarbons / administration & dosage*
  • Humans
  • Intravitreal Injections
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Odds Ratio
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Tomography, Optical Coherence
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Visual Acuity
  • Vitreous Body / drug effects*
  • Vitreous Body / physiopathology*
  • Vitreous Detachment / diagnosis
  • Vitreous Detachment / drug therapy*
  • Vitreous Detachment / surgery

Substances

  • Fluorocarbons
  • perflutren